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Mumbai rocked by deadly attacks | Mumbai rocked by deadly attacks |
(30 minutes later) | |
Gunmen have carried out a series of co-ordinated attacks across the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay), killing at least 80 people and injuring 200 more. | Gunmen have carried out a series of co-ordinated attacks across the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay), killing at least 80 people and injuring 200 more. |
At least seven high-profile locations were hit in India's financial capital, including two luxury hotels where hostages were reported to be held. | At least seven high-profile locations were hit in India's financial capital, including two luxury hotels where hostages were reported to be held. |
A fire is sweeping through the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai's most famous hotel, which is now ringed by troops. | A fire is sweeping through the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai's most famous hotel, which is now ringed by troops. |
Police said four suspected terrorists have been killed and nine arrested. | Police said four suspected terrorists have been killed and nine arrested. |
Attacks leave India reelingWitnesses tell of violenceIn pictures: Mumbai attacks | Attacks leave India reelingWitnesses tell of violenceIn pictures: Mumbai attacks |
The situation is still confused but the city's main train station, a hospital, a restaurant and two hotels - locations used by foreigners as well as local businessmen and leaders - are among those places caught up in the violence. | The situation is still confused but the city's main train station, a hospital, a restaurant and two hotels - locations used by foreigners as well as local businessmen and leaders - are among those places caught up in the violence. |
There are reports of gunfire and explosions taking place elsewhere in the city, and reports of a hostage situation at a hospital. | There are reports of gunfire and explosions taking place elsewhere in the city, and reports of a hostage situation at a hospital. |
Commandos have now surrounded the two hotels, the Taj Mahal Palace and the Oberoi Trident, where it is believed that the armed men are holding dozens of hostages. | Commandos have now surrounded the two hotels, the Taj Mahal Palace and the Oberoi Trident, where it is believed that the armed men are holding dozens of hostages. |
One eyewitness said that the attackers had singled out British and American passport holders. | One eyewitness said that the attackers had singled out British and American passport holders. |
If this report is true, our security correspondent Frank Gardner says it implies an Islamist motive - attacks inspired or co-ordinated by al-Qaeda. See detailed map of the area | If this report is true, our security correspondent Frank Gardner says it implies an Islamist motive - attacks inspired or co-ordinated by al-Qaeda. See detailed map of the area |
A claim of responsibility has been made by a previously unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen. | A claim of responsibility has been made by a previously unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen. |
Our correspondent says it could be a hoax or assumed name for another group. | Our correspondent says it could be a hoax or assumed name for another group. |
The motive is far from clear - but the attacks come amid elections in several Indian states, including in disputed Kashmir. | The motive is far from clear - but the attacks come amid elections in several Indian states, including in disputed Kashmir. |
In the latest developments: | In the latest developments: |
• Fire crews have been evacuating people from the upper floors of the Taj Mahal Palace, from where flames and smoke could be seen billowing | • Fire crews have been evacuating people from the upper floors of the Taj Mahal Palace, from where flames and smoke could be seen billowing |
• The head of Mumbai's anti-terrorism unit and two other senior officers are among those killed, officials say | • The head of Mumbai's anti-terrorism unit and two other senior officers are among those killed, officials say |
• The White House holds a meeting of top intelligence and counter-terrorism officials, and pledges to help the Indian government. | • The White House holds a meeting of top intelligence and counter-terrorism officials, and pledges to help the Indian government. |
Gunmen opened fire at about 2300 local time (1730 GMT) at the sites in southern Mumbai. | Gunmen opened fire at about 2300 local time (1730 GMT) at the sites in southern Mumbai. |
Mumbai journalist: "Gunmen were looking for Westerners" | Mumbai journalist: "Gunmen were looking for Westerners" |
"The terrorists have used automatic weapons and in some places grenades have been lobbed," said AN Roy, police commissioner of Maharashtra state. | "The terrorists have used automatic weapons and in some places grenades have been lobbed," said AN Roy, police commissioner of Maharashtra state. |
Local TV images showed blood-splattered streets, bodies being taken into ambulances and dramatic shots of what appeared to explosions and fire inside the Taj Mahal hotel. | Local TV images showed blood-splattered streets, bodies being taken into ambulances and dramatic shots of what appeared to explosions and fire inside the Taj Mahal hotel. |
One eyewitness told the BBC he had seen a gunman opening fire in the Taj Mahal's lobby. | One eyewitness told the BBC he had seen a gunman opening fire in the Taj Mahal's lobby. |
He said he had seen people fall before he fled the lobby. | He said he had seen people fall before he fled the lobby. |
"All I saw was one man on foot carrying a machine gun type of weapon - which I then saw him firing from and I saw people hitting the floor, people right next to me," he said. BOMB ATTACKS IN INDIA IN 2008 30 October: Explosions kill at least 64 in north-eastern Assam30 September: Blasts in western India kill at least seven27 September: Bomb blasts kills one in Delhi 13 September: Five bomb blasts kill 18 in Delhi 26 July: At least 22 small bombs kill 49 in Ahmedabad25 July: Seven bombs go off in Bangalore killing two people 13 May: Seven bomb hit markets and crowded streets in Jaipur killing 63 International reaction There has been a wave of bombings in Indian cities in recent months which has left scores of people dead. | "All I saw was one man on foot carrying a machine gun type of weapon - which I then saw him firing from and I saw people hitting the floor, people right next to me," he said. BOMB ATTACKS IN INDIA IN 2008 30 October: Explosions kill at least 64 in north-eastern Assam30 September: Blasts in western India kill at least seven27 September: Bomb blasts kills one in Delhi 13 September: Five bomb blasts kill 18 in Delhi 26 July: At least 22 small bombs kill 49 in Ahmedabad25 July: Seven bombs go off in Bangalore killing two people 13 May: Seven bomb hit markets and crowded streets in Jaipur killing 63 International reaction There has been a wave of bombings in Indian cities in recent months which has left scores of people dead. |
Most of the attacks have been blamed on Muslim militants, although police have also arrested suspected Hindu extremists. | Most of the attacks have been blamed on Muslim militants, although police have also arrested suspected Hindu extremists. |
Mumbai itself has also been attacked in the past: in July 2006 a series of bomb attacks on busy commuter trains killed almost 190 people and injured more than 700. | Mumbai itself has also been attacked in the past: in July 2006 a series of bomb attacks on busy commuter trains killed almost 190 people and injured more than 700. |
Police accused Pakistan's intelligence agency of planning those attacks, which they said were carried out by an Islamist militant group, Lashkar-e-Toiba. | Police accused Pakistan's intelligence agency of planning those attacks, which they said were carried out by an Islamist militant group, Lashkar-e-Toiba. |
Pakistan rejected the allegation, saying there was no evidence that its intelligence staff were involved. | Pakistan rejected the allegation, saying there was no evidence that its intelligence staff were involved. |
But the latest shootings come at a time when ties between India and Pakistan have improved. | But the latest shootings come at a time when ties between India and Pakistan have improved. |
Just days ago Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari told a summit in Delhi that Pakistan would not be first to carry out a missile strike on India. | Just days ago Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari told a summit in Delhi that Pakistan would not be first to carry out a missile strike on India. |
The two countries have a joint anti-terror mechanism whereby they are supposed to share information on terrorist attacks. | The two countries have a joint anti-terror mechanism whereby they are supposed to share information on terrorist attacks. |
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